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Systems/5-3 Defense/Line Slant Right
StuntBest for: Run down10U+ · Core

Line Slant Right

Slants all five linemen one gap to the right at the snap.

Concept: Each lineman crosses his blocker's face to the right gap while backers fill left.

Age version
ETNTEBMBCSC
RushBlitzDrop to coverage
14U — Add movement: Add the line stunt/twist to beat the offense's blocking rules. Teach the coverage drops behind the front and read run vs. pass. Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.
Play movement — schematic, not to scale

Grows with your players

Same play, more layers as they age up — teach it once and build on it every season for a consistent program.

  1. 10UIntroduce: Line up right and own your gap — win with alignment, pad level, and pursuit to the ball.
  2. 12UAttack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage.
  3. 14UAdd movement: Add the line stunt/twist to beat the offense's blocking rules. Teach the coverage drops behind the front and read run vs. pass. Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.

Every position's job

NG

On the snap, slant across the center's face into the right A-gap.

Coach it with
DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction DL Gap Control and Two-Gap Read
DT (strong)

Slant one gap to the right, crossing your blocker's face into the next right gap.

Coach it with
DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction DL Gap Control and Two-Gap Read
DT (weak)

Slant right into the B-gap to your right, staying in the coordinated movement.

Coach it with
DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction DL Gap Control and Two-Gap Read
DE (strong)

Slant right into the next gap outside, becoming the new right-side edge.

Coach it with
DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction DL Gap Control and Two-Gap Read
DE (weak)

Slant right one gap, which brings you inside toward the B-gap.

Coach it with
DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction DL Gap Control and Two-Gap Read
Mike

Fill the backside (left) A/B gap the slant vacates.

Coach it with
LB Downhill Fill Scrape & Fill Over the Top Team Inside Run Period
Sam

Scrape to fill the play the slant creates; be ready for a cutback left.

Coach it with
Scrape & Fill Over the Top LB Read Keys and Shuffle LB Downhill Fill
Will

Fill the left backside gap vacated by the slanting line as contain.

Coach it with
LB Downhill Fill Scrape & Fill Over the Top Team Inside Run Period
CB (strong)

Cover your receiver and support the right-side edge.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner
CB (weak)

Cover your receiver and watch the backside as everyone slants away from you.

Coach it with
Scoop / Cutoff Block
FS

Deep middle, keying run to fill the cutback the slant may create.

Coach it with
LB Downhill Fill Team Inside Run Period Scrape & Fill Over the Top

How to teach it

  • 1All five linemen slant one gap right on the snap, crossing the blocker's face.
  • 2Backers fill left to cover the backside gaps the slant leaves open.
  • 3Get off flat and hard to the right so blockers can't wall you off.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !Linemen slanting straight upfield instead of across the face; fix by drilling a flat first step to the gap.
  • !Backers not covering the vacated backside; fix by assigning Mike/Will the cutback.
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